KFOX reporter Ric Dupont was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
According to Dupont's arrested affidavit, three Border Patrol agents saw Dupont driving a white Nissan passenger car with front end damage near the intersection of Vista Del Sol and George Dieter. Agents called state troopers to report the vehicle, stating it appeared the damage was recent because the car's apron had been dragged and steam was coming from the hood. The car was also missing a front driver head lamp.
Agents also reported they saw the car turn right onto George Dieter and drive onto the median. They then stopped the vehicle and detained Dupont for state troopers.
When a trooper arrived at the scene, he noticed "an odor of alcohol coming from (Dupont's) person." The trooper also noted Dupont's speech was slurred and "his balance was off."
Dupont allegedly admitted to drinking but refused to provide a breath sample. The report doesn't state what time the incident occurred.
Dupont was booked into the El Paso County Jail but was released shortly afterwards after posting a $600 bond. He was reportedly placed on three-days suspension at KFOX and returned to work Thursday.
This isn't Dupont's first run-in with the law. Back in 2009 when he was a photographer for KVIA, he and reporter Darren Hunt were detained by an El Paso police officer while covering a major crash that shut down a portion of I-10. They were released soon after they were taken to the Westside Regional Command Center and the officer was later suspended.
It doesn't matter who you are if you're caught driving while under the influence. And it can happen to the best of them, from what we hear. Damn alcohol! - rather irresponsible use of the damned alcohol!
Posted by: steveham | December 09, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Oh Ricky!
Posted by: Ed Green | December 09, 2011 at 08:38 PM
I had no idea he was on the sauce. He was the best reporter they've had since Derek Shore left KFOX. I hope they cut him a break because it would be a shame to lose such a hard-hitting, tough nosed street reporter.
Posted by: Blago | December 10, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Blago, you've knew all about this since June. Plenty of time for you to have intervened. tsk tsk
http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/mediabuzz/2011/06/the-kfox-exodus-continues.html
Posted by: one for the road | December 10, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Sorry to hear about this. I like Rick's work very much. Lesson learned.
Posted by: USAmerica1st | December 10, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Goes to show it can happen to anybody.Hope he gets help and returns to normalcy soon.
Posted by: tweet | December 13, 2011 at 10:04 AM